COVENTRY Copsewood twice came from behind to shock Midland Combination Premier Division leaders Loughborough University with their tense 3-2 success to strengthen their own promotion ambitions.

The hard-earned success kept the Allard Way side in fifth place in the table while their visitors slipped off the top and down to third as new pace-setters Southam United and second-placed Oldbury Athletic leapt above the Leicestershire side.

After a cautious opening it was Loughborough who took the lead just before the half hour before Copses restored parity 90 seconds from the interval through Mark Bowman.

But within five minutes of the second period getting under way, Charlie Mpi swept the students back in front as the hosts were punished for sloppy defending. Fortunately the leveller was not long in coming as Chris Socket squared matters for a second time and with only five minutes remaining, up popped Luke Williams to take Copsewood’s league win column into double figures.

Delighted joint team boss Carl Nolan said: “It was a terrific win and a terrific team performance. We had to dig deep to get back into the game but by the end we were well worth the victory.”

n SECOND-half strikes from Kevin McGarvey and Jim Graham gave new front-runners as Southam United secured a fine 2-0 away triumph at Cadbury Athletic.

In a solid team performance, the Saints were kept at bay before the interval but the crucial first goal came their way just three minutes into the second period as McGarvey found the target with a well taken goal. Cadbury’s rallied after the setback but it was the visitors who put the points to bed as the prolific Graham hammered in the second to confirm United’s superiority.

n IN-FORM striker Ashley Wilks is fast gaining a habit of scoring crucial goals for Nuneaton and the defender turned front-runner emphasised that fact with the winner in the 1-0 win over Continental Star at the Pingles Arena.

Team boss Steve Farmer commented: “Ash is on a fine run of scoring form but he’d be the first to admit there’s still room for improvement. But he’s a great listener, has a marvellous attitude and is always willing to learn. This was our 12th clean-sheet so far which is a tremendous record and shows where the strength lies although as a team everyone is giving their best and that’s pleasing.”

Wilks struck inside the opening 10 minutes to make it five goals in six outings and helped extend Griff’s recent unbeaten run to five games.

n TWO goals from Alex Naughton spearheaded Stockingford AA to a 5-3 success in Division One over lowly Thimblemill Rec at Ansley Road.

Cabbage made the running and eased into the lead on 10 minutes, Michael Husselbury and Callum Clark doing the spadework for Dave Barnett to find the net while Naughton, who missed an earlier opportunity, opened his account with an angled drive just inside the far post.

On the stroke of half time, the visitors’ Liam McIntosh netted, only for Naughton to regain the two-goal cushion just past the hour. Tom Moore stretched the advantage to make it 4-1 only for the Smethwick outfit to stun their hosts with two goals in a minute. But Paul Wilson’s men sewed up the points on 81 minutes when Naughton was tripped in the penalty area and Adam Gallagher made no mistake from the resulting penalty.

* Massey Ferguson’s home clash with Bartley Green was postponed due to the Tractormen’s Banner Lane pitch being unfit.